= “excellence of character”, goodness, gentleness Kindness = “excellence of character”, goodness, gentleness

= acts of kindness motivated my love Chesed = acts of kindness motivated my love

Modern translations use “unfailing love”, “mercy”, or simply “love” Loving- Kindness Modern translations use “unfailing love”, “mercy”, or simply “love”

Loving-kindness also means “covenant love”, - a love that has been promised to the receiver

In the KJV, loving-kindness is only used in connection with God However, the same Hebrew word is also used for kindness shown by people

1. How does God show His loving-kindness to us?

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’. Jeremiah 31:3

It is God’s loving-kindness that caused Him to draw us towards Him.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Psalm 51:1

God’s loving-kindness causes Him to have mercy on us and to forgive us our sins.

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Psalm 69:16

Because God’s loving-kindness towards us is unfailing, we can always call upon Him.

In Your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of Your mouth. Psalm 119:88

It is God’s loving-kindness that sustains our lives It is God’s loving-kindness that sustains our lives. We should use the time He gives us to serve Him.

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. Psalm 63:3

Our physical life might end but God’s loving-kindess to us will last forever. Therefore we should praise Him for it.

2. How did Jesus show loving-kindness?

Jesus chose His followers to be with Him forever He has the same eternal love for us

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

Jesus had mercy on the sinners He met He forgave their sins and He will forgive our sins if we call upon His mercy

Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat Some men brought to him a paralysed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ Matthew 9:2

Jesus told His disciples He would be with them forever We have the same promise today

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20

Jesus’s loving-kindness took Him to the cross where He died to give us a new life to be lived in fellowship with Him

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 1 Thess 5:10

3. How can we show loving-kindness?

In the Old Testament, several people are asked to show loving-kindness, are recognised as showing it, or want to show it.

At that time Abimelek …. said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do. Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me ….. the same kindness that I have shown to you’. Genesis 21:23

‘The Lord bless you, my daughter,’ Boaz replied ‘The Lord bless you, my daughter,’ Boaz replied. ‘This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: you have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. Ruth 3:10

David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ 2 Samuel 9:1

In each case, there is a sense of commitment, a deliberate choice to show loving-kindness We need to make this same choice

Luke 6:27-36 gives us a description of how to do this, not just to those who love us, but even to our enemies

Let’s ask God for the desire to make loving-kindness a permanent characteristic in our lives